Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
All FFLs-May2011-Open Letter-Complying with Recordkeeping Requirements When the Initial NICS Response is Changed (102 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to comply with recordkeeping requirements when there is a change to the response initially received by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during a background check for a firearm transfer. Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (76 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2001-Open Letter-Supporting Documentation for the Importation of Surplus Military Curio or Relic Firearms (90 KB) In response to the recent number of inquiries from licensed importers concerning the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms and the submission of supporting documentation, ATF has published ATF Ruling 2001-3. Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2003-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction (1121 KB)
This letter serves to provide Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred. 
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2005-Open Letter-Lawful Importation of Certain Firearm Barrels into the United States for Commercial Purposes (35 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to update licensed and registered importers of firearms, ammunition and other regulated commodities on the lawful importation of certain firearm barrels into the United States for commercial purposes.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2011-Open Letter-Recent Changes to Florida State Law (63 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida State law and to assist Federal firearms licensees in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearms.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Oct1998-Open Letter-Pawnbroker Transactions (30 KB)
The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 1999 provides that a pawnbroker may complete a NICS check when a firearm is offered as collateral for a loan, at the option of the dealer.  ATF will be publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting forth the procedures pawnbrokers must follow if they wish to complete the optional NICS check at the time a firearm is offered for pawn.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Oct2007-Open Letter-Availability of the Personal Firearms Record, ATF Form 3312.8 (86 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to make you aware of the availability of ATF Publication 3312.8, Personal Firearms Record.  This record is to help firearms owners adequately identify their firearms in case of a theft or loss. 
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Open Letter-Nov 2023-Solvent Trap Devices (366 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearm silencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sep2012-Open Letter-Building Positive Working Relationships with Industry Members (161 KB) This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all Federal firearms licensees and all Federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public. Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sept2004-Open Letter-Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs (45 KB)
This open letter is to advise the import community of the provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that no longer apply to the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAWs) and to transfer and possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs).
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sept2011-Open Letter-Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (57 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to Federal firearms laws.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-September 2022-Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete AR-15/M-16 Type Receivers (1037 KB)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is issuing this open letter to further assist the firearms industry and the public in understanding whether a “partially complete, disassembled, or nonfunctional” receiver of an AR-15/M-16 variant weapon has reached a stage of manufacture such that it “may readily be completed, assembled, restored, or otherwise converted” to a functional receiver, and is therefore classified as a “frame or receiver” or “firearm” in accordance with the final rule titled “Definition of ‘Frame or Receiver’ and Identification of Firearms (Final Rule 2021R-05F), which became effective August 24, 2022.

Firearms Open Letter
All NC FFLs-Open Letter- Aug 2023-Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (188 KB)

The purpose of this Open Letter is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)
check requirement.

Firearms Open Letter
All States' Attorney General-May2007-Open Letter-Adjudicated as a Mental Defective (108 KB)
This open letter is to all States' Attorney General and focuses on working with each State in taking steps to identify person who are prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of their mental health history.
Firearms Open Letter
Amended Definition of Adjudicated as a Mental Defective and Committed to a Mental Institution (2010R-21P) (65 KB)

The Department of Justice proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to clarify definitions of two categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting firearms under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The proposed rule would clarify that the statutory term ‘‘adjudicated as a mental defective’’ includes persons who are found incompetent to stand trial or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, lack of mental responsibility, or insanity, and that the term includes persons found guilty but mentally ill.

Firearms Rulemaking
American Samoa-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (705 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in American Samoa of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Arizona-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (659 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Arizona of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Arkansas-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (893 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Arkansas of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Armor Piercing Ammunition (98 KB)

To protect the lives and safety of law enforcement officers from the threat posed by ammunition capable of penetrating a protective vest when fired from a handgun, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended, prohibits the import, manufacture, and distribution of "armor piercing ammunition" as defined by the statute. Interpreting the meaning of this statutory language, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has developed a framework that will apply to requests seeking a determination that certain projectiles qualify for this "sporting purpose" exemption.

Firearms General Notice
ATF 20P (221 KB) Importation of Defense Articles and Defense Services-U.S. Munitions Import Lists (2011R-20P) - The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove the cross reference to the regulatory United States Munitions List (USML) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that appears at 27 CFR 447.21; to clarify that the Attorney General exercises delegated authority pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 13637 to designate defense articles and defense services as part of the statutory  SML for purposes of permanent import controls, regardless of whether the Secretary of State controls such defense articles or defense services for purposes of export and temporary import; and to clarify that defense articles and defense services controlled pursuant to the Attorney General’s delegated AECA authority are part of the statutory USML (along with those that are controlled for export and temporary import by the Secretary of State), but that the list of defense articles and defense services controlled by the Attorney General is labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from the list of defense articles and defense services in the ITAR that are controlled by the Secretary of State.
 
Rules and Regulations Rulemaking
ATF Business Premises Guidance Letter 4-10-2020 (272 KB)

Letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in response to questions from industry members regarding the legality of firearm sales and deliveries exterior to the brick-and-mortar structure at which the firearms business is licensed, in light of the March 13, 2020, declaration of a national emergency concerning the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the Department of Homeland Security’s subsequent classification of firearms businesses as essential.

Firearms Open Letter
ATF EIB NPRM - Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms (729 KB)

The Department of Justice (“Department”) proposes amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (“BSCA”), effective June 25, 2022, that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Rules and Regulations Rulemaking
ATF Final Rule - Definition of Engaged in the Business as a Dealer in Firearms (2812 KB)

The Department of Justice (“Department”) is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) regulations to implement the provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that broaden the definition of when a person is considered “engaged in the business” (“EIB”) as a dealer in firearms other than a gunsmith or pawnbroker.

Rules and Regulations Ruling
ATF Industry Circular 1985-2: Importation of National Firearms Act Curio and Relic Firearms (691 KB)

This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics.

Firearms Industry Circular
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